Glossary of Abbreviations

GLOSSARY OF ABBREVIATIONS

AA – anti-aircraft AC – alternating current AQB – meaning unknown (AQB switch) AWOL – absent without official leave CEM – chief electrician’s mate CPhM – chief pharmacist’s mate CPO – chief petty officer DC – direct current DD – destroyer DFC – distinguished flying cross D.O.W. – duration of the war FER – forward engineering room GQ – general quarters GSK – general storekeeper HMS – his majesty’s ship HMAS – his majesty’s Australian ship HMNZS – his majesty’s New Zealand ship IC – interior communications K.F.I. – meaning unknown JL – J (primary); L (lookout watch) sound powered circuit LCI – landing craft infantry LCT – landing craft tank LST – landing ship tank MAA – master-at-arms M.B. – Maison Blanche (Algiers airport) MWB – motor whaleboat MM – millimeter (anti-aircraft gun size) N.E.I. – Netherlands East Indies NL – naval gunfire liaison officer (properly: NGLO) NOB – naval operations base PBM – PB (patrol bomber); M (Glenn L. Martin Company) PBY – PB (patrol bomber); Y (Consolidated Aircraft) PGQ – precautionary general quarters P.P.A. – Popski’s private army PT – patrol torpedo (boat) QA – meaning unknown (QA buzzer) RAAF – Royal Australian Air Force RMS – royal mail ship SCM – summary court martial SOPA – senior officer present afloat SP – shore patrol stbd – starboard USAT – U.S. Army Transport (ship) U.S.N.R. – U.S. Naval Regulations V6 – U.S. Navy job classification: general service and specialists V12 – U.S. Navy job classification: college training program WAAC – Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps 1/c, 2/c, 3/c – 1st, 2nd, and 3rd class